For the Geek in all of us

Guest Post: Robin Covington, Author of His Southern Temptation

Please welcome Robin Covington to the virtual offices today! Robin dropped by to fill us in on heroines who are nothing but trouble for the hero. After reading her thoughts on the matter, be sure to hop to the bottom of the post and order her latest book, His Southern Temptation.

Nothing But Trouble: Heroines who kick A**

In my recent release, my heroine Taylor Elliott is strong, successful, stubborn, sexy, self-possessed —all the “s” words that spell nothing but trouble for her hero. Not only did she not follow directions but she decided to take initiative and ended up creating even more trouble for Lucky. In the end, he knew she was worth all the trouble but man, did she make him work for it.

I love a heroine who can take charge and control her own destiny. Now, some of the best heroines don’t start out that way but they grow, learn and gain the confidence to put on those Wonder Woman underoos and be awesome. And, of course, as they grow they become a case of serious heartburn for the men in their lives. Being a huge movie junkie, I thought I’d share with you some of faves:

Marge the Police Chief in Fargo: This woman was the epitome of womanly strength and you just know that her hubby was pulling his hair out knowing that she was giving it her all. I mean, how can you fail to love a woman who is 9 months pregnant who can catch a killer in between bouts of morning sickness?

Evelyn Salt in Salt: A U.S. Agent becomes a fugitive after being accused of being a Russian spy. If you doubt her kick-assery, just check out the scene of how she gets out of the CIA building with no shoes or weapons.

Lisbeth Salander in The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo: What didn’t happen to this woman? Raped, minimized by society, virtually without any power, she comes back to exact justice on her abusers and to emerge as a ballsy equal with the male protagonist. She defies society with every move and a strong woman, takes on a man who is her equal and gives it as good as she gets.

Joan Wilder in Romancing the Stone: Sure, Joan doesn’t really know how to wield a weapon or hack into a computer but she steps out of her comfort zone to help her sister, takes on danger, uses her talents to make sure she is able to save her sister and seduces Michael Douglas (if you think for one minute that he’s seducing her, go watch it again)

Maggie Murdock in Love and Other Drugs: Afflicted with early onset Parkinson’s Maggie is bravery in action. She takes in her disease and also helps others with the same issues surrounding availability of affordable prescriptions and treatment. But, she does this all while being vulnerable and changing the life of her womanizing love interest until he becomes the man he’s supposed to be. Love her.

So, that’s my take on heroines who have cheering as they drive the menfolk crazy. Who would you add to the list?

Thank you, Robin!

You can order His Southern Temptation from your favorite bookseller or by clicking the links below:

About the book:

Some women are bad. Some women are a bad idea. The best ones are both…

A former Black Ops assassin, “Lucky” Landon has had more near-misses than a man should ever have. Now he’s out of that business and settling into the simple life in his small hometown. So the last thing he ever expected was to end up at gunpoint. Or that the woman holding the gun would be his best friend’s little sister and Lucky’s on-again/off-again lover.

Taylor Elliott is Trouble, and she likes it that way. And seeing Lucky again? Well, he’s been her dirty little secret for the past few years and everyone knows that secrets in a small town are almost impossible to keep. But Taylor has bigger problems on her plate. Like the local mob boss who wants her dead.

And right now the only thing standing between Trouble and disaster is a hottie named Lucky..

Great post! I love kick-#%* heroines! I would have to go with an old one–Scarlet O’Hara. She’s a pluck survivor! I have always loved her, even with her selfishness.
I also like Jennifer Lawrence’s character in Silver Linings Playbook. She just didn’t give an inch. She was amazing!
Another one is Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman. How can you not admire a woman who’s willing to change her life in the end and decide she wants more than what’s offered? Plus Iike that her character lets her opinion be known and doesn’t take a backseat to Edward. And on top of that she can drive the car and “turn corners like it’s on rails.”
I know we’re talking about movies, but I would be remiss not to mention Darynda Jones’s Charley Davidson! Who can’t admire a girl/Grim Reaper/PI who seems to get herself into pickle after pickle? And manage to have the hottest guy love her so unconditionally? Love me some Reyes!
That’s all I’ve got…:-)

Robin, those are great kick-butt chicks. I particularly love Joan Wilder. I always thought it would be cool if I got out of trouble because the criminal was a fan of my book. In fact, that move is the reason I write romance.

I have to go with Buffy as one of my favorites. Also, Anita Blake in her early books. Lastly, I’m watching Game of Thrones on HBO, and Daenerys has a great character arc and is becoming tougher each episode.